Hangin' Out with MARK STEVENS: AFL journalism and joining the Zero Hanger team!

AFL journalist Mark Stevens joins the Hangin' Out podcast to discuss his legendary career covering footy. From his 20 years as a senior sports journalist at the Herald Sun and 8 years as Chief AFL Reporter at Channel 7, to now joining Zero Hanger at Zero Digital Sports, 'Stevo' shares incredible stories about doorstop journalism, the art of breaking news, and some wild moments including encountering a streaker during a live cross. He opens up about covering the 2016 Bulldogs premiership, Essendon's supplement saga, reporting from the COVID hubs, and reveals insider tricks of the trade like staking out managers' offices and playing cat-and-mouse with rival journalists.Plus: why 'Dusty' Martin is the hardest player to catch, and the competitive world of AFL journalism.

⬇️ RUNDOWN:

00:00 - Intro & Welcome to Zero Hanger

03:52 - Shepparton Cadetship to the Herald Sun

13:31 - What is sports journalism really about?

17:25 - Being first vs being right

22:00 - Leaving politics career at Parliament House

26:59 - Covering your own team

29:28 - Changes in the media box

35:00 - 2016 Grand Final: The drought-breaker

38:26 - The 2021 Grand Final heartbreak

40:25 - COVID-19 & being in the hub

41:00 - Streaker story

52:00 - The Essendon supplement saga

52:36 - The art of doorstop journalism

54:00 - Flying to Auckland to chase Dusty Martin

1:02:18 - Tricks of the trade: Decoys & positioning

1:08:21 - What's next for Zero Hanger in 2025

RECORDED: 04/12/2025

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